How to Hang Pictures on Sloped Ceilings

The sloped ceiling in your bedroom may limit where you can put your bed, or even where you can get dressed in the morning without bumping your head. But it can also extend the amount of space available for hanging framed pictures and displaying some of your favorite pieces. It's necessary to use the proper hardware and hanging technique to ensure the pictures you place on a sloped ceiling won't come crashing down.

1

Find the center of the framed picture, using a measuring tape. Mark the center point about 1/2 inch from the bottom edge of the frame. Measure 1 inch inward from the outer edge of both top corners and make a mark about 1/2 inch downward from the top edge of the frame.

2

Fasten a keyhole picture hanger at each of the three marks. Position the hanger to ensure the larger part of the keyhole is on the bottom of each hanger.

3

Measure the distance of the picture between the two top marks. Measure the distance along a diagonal between one of the corner marks and the mark at the bottom of your picture.

4

Run a stud finder along the slated ceiling to find the studs.

5

Mark the center of one stud on the sloped ceiling, using a pencil. Use that mark as a starting point and measure the distance between the two top marks on your picture. For example, if the distance between these two marks is 24 inches, measure 24 inches from the mark you made in the stud and make another mark on the ceiling. Find the point on your ceiling that corresponds with the mark along the bottom edge of your picture. Place your measuring tape on the ceiling at a diagonal, starting at one of the points. Measure the distance that corresponds to the same diagonal distance on the back of the picture.

6

Predrill holes for the pan-head screws at each of the three marked points on the sloped ceiling. Ensure to have at least one pan-head screw anchored into a stud. If your picture won't hang on top of more than one stud, insert wall anchors into the predrilled holes to keep the pan-head screws in place. Use a drill to insert the screws into each of the predrilled holes or wall anchors. Alternatively, if the sloped ceiling is plaster, put a small piece of masking tape on each of the three marks for the pan-head screws. Predrill the holes and insert the screws.

7

Hang a picture on the three pan-head screws so that the screws fit snugly inside keyhole. Position the screws in line with the bottom of the keyhole hanger first, then lock the screw into place by sliding the smaller part of the keyhole hanger downward.

Things You Will Need

Framed pictures

3 keyhole picture hangers for each picture

Tape Measure

Stud finder

Drill

3 pan-head screws for each picture

3 double-sided adhesive hangers (optional)

3 wall anchors (optional)

Tips

Knowing in advance how high up you want to hang your pictures -- as well as how you want to arrange the pictures on the wall -- will save you time when you start hanging the pictures.

Hanging pictures in studs will help secure them to your slanted ceiling.

Before drilling into the slanted ceiling, hold the picture to the ceiling to confirm that it will hang where you want it.

About the Author

William Henderson has been writing for newspapers, magazines and journals for more than 15 years. He served as editor of the "New England Blade" and is a former contributor to "The Advocate." His work has also appeared on The Good Men Project, Life By Me and The Huffington Post.